"Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!" (2 Corinthians 5:17)

051814, Armed Forces Day, John 15:13

13 No one has greater love than this—that one lays down his life for his friends.

Not much press is give to Armed Forces Day, but many Americans celebrate Armed Forces Day annually on the third Saturday of May. It is a day to pay tribute to men and women who serve the United States’ armed forces. Armed Forces Day is also part of Armed Forces Week, which begins on the second Saturday of May. It is important for us to remember the sacrifices that have been made by the members of our armed forces, and of their families.

There are two videos that tell a story of the members of our armed forces, their families, and the people of our great nation, the United States of America. In our great country, people on the street will pay honor to our nation’s flag when it passes by in a parade or motorcade, by the removal of our hats from our heads, by placing our hands over hearts, and by saluting the flag as it passes by us. We give thanks to God for the food that we eat, in our homes and in restaurants. In our country we stand still and pay honor to those who pass by us in funeral processions. In our country we line up for many miles to give respect to the bodies of fallen members of our armed forces as they are taken to their home towns for proper burial.

Our military services have a proper and dignified way of returning to their places of burial, the bodies of fallen Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines,and Coast Guardsmen, whether they are active duty, reserve, or national guard. The process is known as, “The Dignified Transfer.” The soldier’s creed of, “Leave No Man Behind,” applies to all members of our Armed Forces. A video that follows is that of a media report of such a dignified transfer. A fallen soldier, who was a citizen soldier – a member of the Oklahoma Army National Guard, a father and husband, was returned from the place of his death in Afghanistan to his hometown in the great state of Oklahoma. You will see many fellow citizens who lined the street and paid respect to the fallen soldier. You will see an interview with his grieving widow, as well as with members of the Oklahoma Army National Guard. One of the Guardsmen is a military chaplain, who is also a Christian. It needs to be said that an atheist chaplain, who knows nothing of an eternal afterlife, would be totally inappropriate to be included in a detail, to tell a widow that her husband is now deceased, but is present with God. You will see the love and care that exists within the armed forces, as it extends to caring for its military families who have undergone the suffering that follows death. You will see many American flags behind held by the American citizens who are present when the honor motorcade passes them. You will see that a great majority of American citizens still love “mom, home, apple pie,” our nation, our military, and the men and women who serve our nation through our armed forces.

In our country we are guaranteed the freedom of religion by our Constitution. If you will read the words of the First Amendment to our Constitution, you will find no “great wall of separation,” written in it. The words are very clear, and state that “we the people” are protected from our government, which is not allowed to make a law which concerns religion. There have been leaders of our government who have used the words, “freedom of worship.” There is a great difference in “freedom of religion” and “freedom of worship.” Many in our government would like for us to be free to go into a building and sing, and clap our hands,and hear a sermon; that is freedom of worship. Freedom of religion allows us to practice what we learn inside of those buildings, outside of those buildings.

First Amendment

Main article: First Amendment to the United States Constitution

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

A Dignified Transfer: A Fallen Soldier’s Final Journey Home

The second video shows similar respect for a fallen soldier. You will see a lone Marine who stands holding a very long salute of honor.

For The Saluting Marine

We, as citizens of the United States Of America, live in a great country. We are great country because we are a good country. As long as we are a good country, we will be a great country. And yes, “I pledge Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.”

Matthew 25:40
New King James Version (NKJV)

40 And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’